Chicago Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for Week 9 of the 2008 season. Blanco led Chicago's dominant effort by notching a goal and three assists in a 5-1 road victory versus the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, May 25.
Blanco played a part in all five Fire goals as he helped Chicago (6-2-1, 19 pts) regain its spot among the Eastern Conference leaders, tied with the Columbus Crew (6-2-1, 19 pts) and New England Revolution (6-3-1, 19 pts) for first place.
Blanco helped get the Fire rolling early when he lofted a long pass behind the defense where Chad Barrett collected the ball and tucked it past Jon Conway in the eighth minute. Chicago came out strong to start the second half as Blanco crossed the ball to a wide open Chris Rolfe who headed the ball past Conway for a 2-0 lead in the 48th minute.
Blanco helped widen the margin after Justin Mapp was pulled down in the penalty area. Blanco took his customary long approach to the penalty kick and put the Fire up 3-0. Things got worse for New York when Blanco helped set up Barrett's second goal of the game in the 60th minute. Blanco drew two defenders to him near the corner flag before finding a wide open Mapp, who crossed to Barrett.
Blanco played a part in the Fire's final goal of the game in the 62nd minute. He sent an out-swinging corner kick into the center of the penalty area. Wilman Conde's header hit the crossbar and Gonzalo Segares put away the rebound. Jozy Altidore scored off a corner kick late in the game for New York.
This is the first Player of the Week award for Blanco, who joined the Fire in July, 2007 as the team's first Designated Player. He was a finalist for the Honda Most Valuable Player last season, and this season has been among the best through the first two months, leading the Fire to the top of the Eastern Conference. His four goals are tied for third most in the League and five assists are tied for second.
Blanco and the Fire have a week off of League play and next face D.C. United at home on June 7, at 8:30 p.m. ET. (FSC, FSE).
The Major League Soccer Player of the Week is selected each week of the MLS regular season by a panel of journalists from The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com/.
2008 Player of the Week Winners
Week 1:
Terry Cooke (Colorado Rapids)
Week 2:
David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 3:
Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew)
Week 4:
Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 5:
Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 6:
David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 7:
Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
Week 8:
Edson Buddle (Los Angles Galaxy)
Week 9:
Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire)
